Lapid wants Quiapo declared National Heritage Zone

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid has sought the declaration of Manila’s Quiapo District as a National Heritage Zone, to protect the area and allow future generations to enjoy and understand its historic role.

Lapid, in a statement on Monday, said that the Senate Bill No. 1471 or the proposed Quiapo Heritage Zone Act would not only protect Quiapo through legal safeguards, but also stimulate economic growth with a possible redevelopment of the area.

“Dahil kinikilala natin ang kahalagahan ng Quiapo sa ating kultura at kasaysayan, at di matatawarang ambag sa pambansang kaunlaran, dapat lamang ipakita ng pamahalaan ang kanyang pagpapahalaga dito sa pamamagitan ng pagtatakda sa Distrito ng Quiapo bilang isang Historical and Cultural Heritage Zone,” he said.

If enacted into law, the bill would prioritize the district’s development through the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other relevant departments, in accordance with regulations for national heritage zones.

The heritage zone may also receive funding and assistance from the DOT, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in coordination with the local government of the City of Manila.

Lapid made this statement amid the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday, an annual celebration of Roman Catholic devotees of the image located inside the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene — colloquially known as the Quiapo Church.

During the festivities, people flock to Quiapo Church and the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta for the annual traslacion, or the procession of the Black Nazarene image from Luneta to Quiapo.  However, for three years straight due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the translacion has been suspended to avoid mass transmissions.

READ: No ‘Traslacion’ in 2023, says Quiapo Church priest 

“Mula pa kahapon ay libu-libo ng deboto at panata ng Poong Nazareno ang nagtungo sa Quiapo upang ipahayag ang kanilang pananampalataya. Isa lamang ito sa napakaraming okasyon na patunay sa napaka yamang kasaysayan, tradisyon at kultura ng Quiapo na dapat nating pahalagahan at protektahan,” Lapid said.

(Since yesterday, thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene are going to Quiapo to express their faith. This is just one of the occasions that displays the rich history, tradition and culture of Quiapo that we need to give importance and protect.)

But aside from the usual attractions, Lapid believes turning Quiapo into a National Heritage Zone would also reap economic benefits as it would “create a wide range of attractions.”

Quiapo is not only home to the Minor Basilica, but to other establishments key to the nation’s history.  Several of the country’s initial movie houses like the Times Theater can be found along Quezon Boulevard, opposite of Quiapo Church.

Important landmarks like the Plaza Miranda, the Golden Mosque and Cultural Center and the Quinta Market are also located within the said district.

This is not the first time that lawmakers have called for the declaration of Quiapo as a National Heritage site.  Just last August 2022, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua also filed a bill seeking the same, to preserve the historical relevance of the area. With reports from Niña Cuasay, trainee

READ: Baclaran, Quiapo eyed as heritage sites 

JPV